Fixing apparatus for light source conductive wire of backlight module

ABSTRACT

A fixing apparatus for a light source conductive wire, suitable for use to fix the light source conductive wire. The fixing apparatus has an attaching part, a holding part and a wire protruding part. The attaching part and the holding part are both attached to the light source conductive wire to a backlight module, while the wire protruding part is connected between the attaching part and the holding part to hold the light source conductive wire. The wire protruding part has a wire outlet allowing protrusion of the light source conductive wire. The fixing apparatus prevents the light source conductive wire from being detached during the iron frame assembly of the backlight module, so as to enhance the product yield.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a backlight module, and moreparticular, to a fixing apparatus for light source conductive wires ofthe backlight module.

2. Related Art of the Invention

Liquid crystal displays (LCD's) have been broadly applied recently.Following the improvement of driving technique, advantages such as lowerconsumption power, thin and light body, and low driving voltages allowthe liquid crystal displays to be applied in video cameras, notebookcomputers, desktop computers and various types of projecting equipment.

The commonly seen liquid crystal displays comprise thin-film transistorliquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). As the liquid crystal display itselfdoes not illuminate, a white light source is required as the backlightto display the image. The light source frequently used in the thin-filmtransistor liquid crystal display includes cold cathode fluorescent tube(CCFT) and hot cathode fluorescent tube (HCFT), both of which arelow-pressure mercury type. The typical structure of the lamp tubeincludes electrodes at two sides. Phosphor (R, G, B) is coated on theinternal wall thereof, and mercury vapor and some rare gas are filledand sealed therein. While applying a voltage to two electrodes,accelerated electrons are generated to bombard the mercury and the raregas atoms into an excited state. When the excited mercury and rare gasatoms fall back to the ground state, ultra-violet light is released. Theultra-violet light then impinges on the internal wall to generate whitelight. For all types of light sources, the conductive wire of the lightsource has to be pulled out to allow voltage application duringbacklight module assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a schematic drawing of a backlight moduleis shown. The backlight module 100 includes a light emitting surface110, a bottom surface 120, a wiring side surface 190, and a groove 140.During the iron frame assembling process of the backlight module 100,the light source conductive wire 130 is mounted in the groove 140 of thebacklight module 100 to complete the assembly. However, the trend forfabricating thin and light liquid crystal displays has caused thefixture of the light source conductive wire 130 to become unstable andeasily detached from the backlight module 100. Consequently, the productyield is poor.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a fixing apparatus for a light sourceconductive wire suitable for use in a backlight module. The backlightmodule includes a light emitting surface and an opposing bottom surface.The fixing apparatus of the light source conductive wire includes anattaching part, a holding part and a wire protruding part. The attachingpart is attached to the light emitting surface or the bottom surface ofthe backlight module. The wire protruding part connects the attachingpart and the holding part. The wire protruding part has a wire outletallowing the light source conductive wire to extend out of the backlightmodule. The holding part, the wire protruding part and the attachingpart construct a support structure, and the holding part holds the lightsource conductive wire between the fixing apparatus and the backlightmodule.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the fixingapparatus of the light source conductive wire includes SUS-series metalmaterial with a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The attaching part and thebacklight module are mounted by applying a screw or adhesive. When ascrew is used, a hole is formed in the attaching part allowing the screwto thread through. When the glue is used, adhesive material such as gluecan be applied between the attaching part and the backlight module.

The present invention further provides a fixing apparatus for a lightsource conductive wire applicable in a backlight module, which includesa light emitting surface, a bottom surface opposing to the projectingsurface and a wiring side surface. The fixing apparatus for the lightsource conductive wire comprises an attaching part and a wire protrudingpart. The attaching part is attached to the light emitting surface orthe bottom surface of the backlight module. The wire protruding part isconnected to the attaching part and is attached to the wiring sidesurface. The wire protruding part has a wire outlet allowing protrusionof the light source conductive wire.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the fixingapparatus of the light source conductive wire includes SUS-series metalmaterial with a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The attaching part isattached to the backlight module by applying a screw or adhesive. When ascrew is used, a hole is formed in the attaching part allowing the screwto thread through. When glue is used, adhesive material such as glue canbe applied between the attaching part and the backlight module.

Further, the fixing apparatus of the light source conductive wire andthe backlight module construct a planar light source, and the lightsource conductive wire is wrapped with a thermal compressed tube or aninsulation tape to prevent it from being damaged by the fixing apparatusor the iron frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will becomemore apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a schematic drawing of a backlight module;

FIG. 1B shows the wire protruding position of the backlight module asshown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows a fixing apparatus for a conductive wire of a light sourcein one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a top view of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a side view of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a front view of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A shows a planar light source apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows the enlargement view of the wire protruding position ofthe backlight module of the planar light source as shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows the opposing side of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A shows a top view of the fixing apparatus in another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a side view of the fixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 4A;and

FIG. 4C shows a front view of the fixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a light source conductive wire inone embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D showthe top view, side view and front view thereof, respectively. It isappreciated that the dimensions illustrated here are to match with theapplied backlight module. When a backlight module with different size isapplied, modification of the dimensions is required. As shown in FIG.2A, the fixing apparatus 200 of a light source conductive wire comprisesan attaching part 210, a holding part 220 and a wire protruding part230. The attaching part 210 is attached to a backlight module. Theholding part 220 is also attached to the backlight module allowing thelight source conductive wire to be maintained between the backlightmodule and the fixing apparatus 200. The wire protruding part 230 isconnected to the attaching part 210 and the holding part 220. The wiringprotruding part 230 has a wire outlet 240, from which the light sourceconductive wire can extend out of the backlight module. The size of thewire outlet 240 is determined according to the number of light sourceconductive wires required to protrude. For the assembly convenience, thesize is preferably larger then the terminal of the light sourceconductive wires. In this embodiment, the wire outlet extends from thewire protruding part 230 downward towards the attaching part 210 toprovide enough space. When the terminal of the light source conductivewire is larger, the wire outlet 240 can further extend to partition theattaching part 210 to provide assembly convenience.

The fixing apparatus 200 of the light source conductive wire isintegrally formed of SUS-series metal material, for example. Thethickness of the fixing apparatus 200 is about 0.1 mm. The way forattaching the fixing apparatus 200 to the backlight module include usinga screw threading through a hole 250 formed in the attaching part 210.Alternatively, the fixing apparatus 200 can also be adhered to thebacklight module by applying glue in between instead of using the screw.

FIG. 3A shows a planar light source 305 assembled by the fixingapparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2A and a backlight module 300. FIG. 3Bshows the enlarged view of the wire protruding part of the planar lightsource 305 as shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C shows the opposing side of FIG.3B. The backlight module 300 comprises a light emitting surface 310, abottom surface 320, a wiring side surface 390 and a groove 340. Thewhite light source of the backlight module is uniformly emitted from thelight emitting surface 310. The light source conductive wire 330 is notonly positioned in the groove 340 along the wiring side surface 390, butis further fixed by the fixing apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2A toavoid detachment or breakage by external force. To avoid damaging thelight source conductive wire 330 to cause high voltage leakage, athermal compression tube 350 is used for protection. It is appreciatedthat insulating tape or other similar material can also be used toprovide the same function. In FIG. 3C, a screw 360 is used to attach thefixing apparatus 200 to the backlight module.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of a fixing apparatus for a light sourceconductive wire in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4Bis a side view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B is a front view of FIG. 4A.Similarly, the dimension of the fixing apparatus has to comply with thesize of the backlight module. The fixing apparatus includes an attachingpart 410 and a wire protruding part 420. The attaching part 410 is usedto attach the fixing apparatus to the backlight module. The wireprotruding part 420 is connected to the attaching part 410, and isattached to the wiring side surface 390 of the backlight module as shownin FIG. 3A. The wire protruding part 420 has a wire outlet 430 allowingthe light source conductive wire to exit. Similarly, the size of thewire outlet 430 is determined according to required amount of theprotruding wires.

The fixing apparatus is integrally formed of SUS-series metal material,for example. The thickness of the fixing apparatus is about 0.1 mm.FIGS. 4A to 4C use the adhesion to attach the fixing apparatus and thebacklight module, so that the attaching part 420 does not include ahole. A rear-side adhesive providing assembling convenience is optional.

From the above description, the fixing apparatus for the light sourceconductive wire of a backlight module has at least the followingadvantages:

1. The detachment of conductive wire during assembling process of theiron frame is avoided, so that the product yield is increased.

2. The breakage due to external force is avoided.

3. The risk of high voltage leakage caused by damage of light sourceconductive wire is avoided.

Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A fixing apparatus, suitable for use in a backlight module having alight emitting surface and a bottom surface opposing the light emittingsurface, the fixing apparatus comprising: an attaching part, attachingto one of the light emitting surface and the bottom surface; a holdingpart, attaching to the other one of the light emitting surface and thebottom surface of the backlight module; and a wire protruding part,connecting between the attaching part and the holding part, the wireprotruding part having a wire outlet for allowing a wire to penetrateout through a surface of the wire protruding part, wherein theattaching, holding, and wire protruding parts are in a solid structure,and the attaching part is to be affixed to one of the light emittingsurface and the bottom surface at a fixed position.
 2. The fixingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a metal material. 3.The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, having a thickness of about0.1 mm.
 4. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theattaching part, the holding part and the wire protruding pan areintegrally formed.
 5. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe attaching part includes a hole allowing a screw to thread through.6. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1, further includes a glueapplied between the attaching part and either the light emitting surfaceor the bottom surface.
 7. The fixing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the wire outlet of the wire protruding part extends to theattaching part.
 8. A planar light source, comprising: a backlightmodule, having a light source conductive wire; and a fixing apparatusfor the light source conductive wire, attached and affixed to a topsurface or a bottom surface of the backlight module at a fixed positionto hold the light source conductive wire therebetween, the fixingapparatus having a wire outlet allowing the light source conductive wireto penetrate out through a surface of the fixing apparatus.
 9. Theplanar light source according to claim 8, wherein the fixing apparatusfurther comprises: an attaching part, attached to the top surface or thebottom surface of the backlight module; a holding part, attached to theother surface of the backlight module; and a wire protruding part,connected between the attaching part and the holding part, the wireprotruding part comprising the wire outlet, wherein the attaching partis affixed to the one surface of the backlight module at the fixedposition.
 10. The planar light source according to claim 8, wherein thefixing apparatus is made of a metal material.
 11. The planar lightsource according to claim 8, wherein the fixing apparatus has athickness of about 0.1 mm.
 12. The planar light source according toclaim 9, wherein the attaching part, the holding part and the wireprotruding part are integrally formed.
 13. The planer light sourceaccording to claim 8, wherein the fixing apparatus is attached to thebacklight module by a screw.
 14. The planar light source according toclaim 8, wherein the fixing apparatus is adhered to the backlight moduleby adhesive.
 15. The planar light source according to claim 8, furthercomprising a thermal compression tube to wrap the light sourceconductive wire.
 16. The planar light source according to claim 8,further comprising an insulation tape to wrap the light sourceconductive wire.
 17. The planar light source according to claim 8,further comprising a groove in which the light source conductive wire ispositioned.
 18. A fixing apparatus for a light source conductive wire,applicable to a backlight module with a light emitting surface, anopposing bottom surface and a wiring side surface, comprising: anattaching part, attached and affixed to either the light emittingsurface or the bottom surface at a fixed position; and a wire protrudingpart, attached to the wiring side surface, the wire protruding parthaving a wire outlet, wherein the wire outlet of the wire protrudingpart extends to the attaching part and the wire outlet allows a wire topenetrate out through a surface of the wire protruding part.
 19. Thefixing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a metalmaterial.
 20. The fixing apparatus according to claim 18, having athickness of about 0.1 mm.
 21. The fixing apparatus according to claim18, wherein the attaching part and the wire protruding part areintegrally formed.
 22. The fixing apparatus according to claim 18,wherein the attaching part includes a hole allowing a screw to threadthrough.
 23. The fixing apparatus according to claim 18, furtherincludes a glue applied between the attaching part and either the lightemitting surface or the bottom surface.
 24. A planar light source,comprising: a backlight module, having a light source conductive wireprotruding from a wiring side surface thereof; and a fixing apparatusfor the light source conductive wire, attached and affixed to a topsurface or a bottom surface of the backlight module at a fixed positionto hold the light source conductive wire therebetween, the fixingapparatus having a wire outlet allowing the light source conductive wireto penetrate out through a surface of the fixing apparatus.
 25. Theplanar light source according to claim 24, wherein the fixing apparatusfurther comprises: an attaching part, attached to one of the top surfaceand the bottom surface of the backlight module; and a wire protrudingpart, connected to the attaching part, the wire protruding partcomprising the wire outlet, wherein the attaching part is affixed to theone surface of the backlight module at the fixed position.
 26. Theplanar light source according to claim 24, wherein the fixing apparatusis made of a metal material.
 27. The planar light source according toclaim 24, wherein the fixing apparatus has a thickness of about 0.1 mm.28. The planar light source according to claim 25, wherein the attachingpart and the wire protruding part are integrally formed.
 29. The planartight source according to claim 24, wherein the fixing apparatus isadhered to the backlight module by adhesive.
 30. The planar light sourceaccording to claim 24, further comprising a thermal compression tube towrap the light source conductive wire.
 31. The planar light sourceaccording to claim 24, further comprising an insulation tape to wrap thelight source conductive wire.
 32. The planar light source according toclaim 24, further comprising a groove in which the light sourceconductive wire is positioned.